On February 24th, the fourth anniversary of the large-scale invasion of Ukraine, we, the Ambassadors of France, Germany and the United Kingdom in Kyiv, reiterate our condemnation of Russia's barbaric and unjustified aggression against Ukraine as well as our unshattered support to Ukraine in its fight for independence.
Since February 24th 2022, Ukraine and the Ukrainian people have shown extraordinary courage and resilience. This war, which President Putin does not even call a war and which was supposed to end in three days, has already lasted longer than the Second World War for the USSR. To those who claim that Russia is winning the war, we respond clearly: nothing is less true. Russia has reached none of its strategic objectives. In four years, Russia has seen more than a million casualties, spent considerable sums on its horrible aggression, and isolated itself diplomatically, with Iran, North Korea and Belarus now its closest allies.
Europe has responded and stands firmly alongside Ukraine. Far from being divided or weak, Europe is taking action. Taken as a whole, it is Ukraine's primary source of support, particularly in financial terms. The historic €90 billion loan from the EU will meet Ukraine's military and budgetary needs in 2026 and 2027. It is a strong sign to Russia: do not count on our weakening support.
The European Union and the United Kingdom have also, in a coordinated manner, imposed heavy sanctions on Russia and stepped up their fight against the Russian shadow fleet: the increase in boarding operations in recent weeks shows it in a striking manner. The Coalition of the Willing is and will remain an essential pillar of peace and security in Ukraine after the end of the war. The successive meetings of the Coalition members, in London on March 2nd 2025, in Berlin on December 14th and in Paris on January 6th 2026, not to mention the numerous virtual meetings co-chaired by President Macron, Chancellor Merz and Prime Minister Starmer, including the one scheduled today, demonstrated our unity and our resolve to defend Ukraine, strengthen its stance in the negotiations and, once a ceasefire has been reached, enable it to rebuild its army through a robust and dissuasive mechanism.
In the context of the current peace negotiations, our three countries strongly support Ukraine, which has demonstrated its constructive attitude and willingness to reach a just and lasting settlement. Once again, we must leave no room for doubt: it is Russia, not Ukraine, that is preventing the negotiations from succeeding, through its maximalist attitude and its demands amounting to nothing less than Ukraine's capitulation. Our countries will continue to support Ukraine and its legitimate aspirations in these negotiations.
But we must do even more as Europeans. We must continue to support Ukraine financially, militarily, in the fields of humanitarian aid and energy support. We must complete the preparation of the Coalition of the Willing. We must further strengthen our sanctions against Russia. And we must support Ukraine on its path towards the European Union. Ukraine has unequivocally chosen Europe, and our position is clear: its future lies in the EU. To this end, we encourage the Ukrainian government and authorities to continue their efforts and the reforms necessary for the country's accession to the Union. Once adopted, the effective implementation of these reforms will be key, as they are not only a prerequisite for any future EU member, but are also expected and wished for by the vast majority of Ukrainians.
Even after this war ends, Russia will remain a threat. As our leaders recently emphasised in Munich, Europe's economic weight is ten times greater than that of Russia: it is time to fully translate this economic power into military strength. The European continent has for too long been lulled by the illusions of the end of the Cold War and the idea that trade and law alone could carry sufficient weight. Europe must accept the new geopolitical reality and strengthen its 'hard power' in the face of countries that only respect force. We must develop our military, political, economic and technological power. We must strengthen and streamline our industrial defence cooperation, integrate our production chains and continue to develop common military equipment.
Ukraine and the Ukrainian people are admired globally for resisting during four years an adversary with seemingly far greater human, financial and material resources. By defending its sovereignty and independence, Ukraine is defending the whole of Europe and universal principles. This war has finally made our continent realise that the world has changed, that Europe must be more autonomous and finally accept to speak the language of power. Europe will continue to support Ukraine unwaveringly, be it militarily, on the rear front and in negotiations. It will continue to strengthen itself, rearm and prepare for new Russian aggressions, which will undoubtedly occur. Our countries have taken stock of the geopolitical challenge posed by Russia to Europe and the world. It is now up to us to rise up to this challenge. Ukraine is showing us the way.
Gaël VEYSSIERE, Ambassador of the French Republic in Ukraine
Heiko THOMS, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Ukraine
Neil CROMPTON, Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Ukraine